The 2016 World Snooker Championship starts on Saturday, with Ronnie O’Sullivan bidding to win a sixth Crucible crown. The Rocket first broke his duck in 2001 before further triumphs in 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2013.

Ronnie will play Dave Gilbert in his Crucible opener, with some plum ties coming out of the bag and that includes Stuart Bingham facing Ali Carter on Saturday. Ding Junhui was the qualifier everyone wanted to avoid although Martin Gould faces the Chinaman, while Liang Wenbo faces practice partner Judd Trump.

Two years ago, O’Sullivan was thwarted by Mark Selby in the final and Stuart Bingham produced an amazing performance to defeat him at the quarter final stage of the 2015 renewal.

However, Ronnie is the clear favourite to win and sponsors Betfred offer 7/4 that O’Sullivan claims victory, with the Rocket having enjoyed victories at The Masters and Welsh Open this season.

The draw hasn’t been too kind to O’Sullivan as sixth seed, with the Londoner set to play Barry Hawkins in a second round clash. The Hawk has been a Crucible stalwart in recent years and could be a tricky opponent.

Then there is the prospect of meeting Shaun Murphy at the last eight stage before a semi-final encounter against Mark Selby and the possibility of meeting Judd Trump or Neil Robertson in the final.

Reigning champion Stuart Bingham is as big as 28/1 with sponsor Betfred to claim another title and he could face Stephen Maguire in a last sixteen clash before the prospect of meeting Ricky Walden or John Higgins.

The second quarter could offer up the juicy prospect of JUDD TRUMP meeting Neil Robertson in a last eight clash although the former arrives off the back of a China Open victory and we’re keen on his chances of winning a first world title.

The third quarter looks tough as old boots for Ronnie O’Sullivan who will face a qualifier before having to meet Barry Hawkins and potentially Murphy to escape into the semi-finals.

Down at the foot of the draw, Mark Allen and Mark Selby are seeded to meet at the last eight stage, although Joe Perry and Michael White are also more than capable.

The draw for the World Snooker Championship will be made at 10am on Thursday 14 April when the qualifiers are known and nobody will want to face Ding Junhui who has emerged to take his place in the Crucible line-up.